Copic Certification Classes Currently Open (UPDATED 1/31/2012)

Click here to see all Copic Certification classes that are currently open.

I am currently planning both Standard and Intermediate Copic Certification classes for 2012; 2011 is booked.

If you are in located in the Northern Midwest and think that your area might be perfect for a Copic Standard Certification Class, e-mail me at debbie.olson@gmail.com. If you think that your area would work for a Copic Intermediate Certification Class, I would love to hear from you as well. The geographical regions for the Intermediate Certification are different from the Standard, but generally Sherrie Siemens will handle Canada and Colleen Schaan will handle the South and much of the East Coast. We will figure out who goes where on the Intermediate, but you will get the same educational experience from all of us!

Upcoming Copic Standard Certification Classes in the next few weeks include:

San Diego, CA, February 3, 2012: Lori Craig

Richmond, VA, February 17, 2012: Debbie Olson

Miami, FL, February 25, 2012: Lori Craig

Edmonton, AB, CANADA, March 2, 2012: Sherrie Siemens

Columbus, OH, March 9, 2012: Colleen Schaan

St. Louis, MO: March 8, 2012: Lori Craig

York, PA, March 10, 2012: Marianne Walker

Intermediate Certification Classes

Richmond, VA, February 18, 2012: Debbie Olson

Edmonton, AB, CANADA, March 3, 2012: Sherrie Siemens

St. Louis, MO: March 9, 2012: Debbie Olson

Columbus, OH: March 10: Colleen Schaan

My Itinerary for the next few weeks:

February 17-18, 2012: Richmond, VA area Standard and Intermediate Certifications

March 8-9, 2012: St. Louis, MO area with Lori Craid teaching Standard and me teaching Intermediate

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If you would like to be notified when a Copic Certification opens in your area, please click the button below to sign up on Copic's Mailing list.

The Copic Certification program is designed for papercrafters, scrapbookers, and rubber stampers. This one-day intensive program is available for teachers, store owners, and designers who wish to learn diverse applications for Copic products with the intent of sharing them with their classes, stores, workshops, or through their designs. The class is technique based and no finished projects will be produced.

All of the training you receive as a Copic Certified Designer is intended to be shared with others. Once you are a Copic Certified Designer you will be listed through the Copic Certified Instructor Search. There people will be able to search for Certified Designers in their area.

Who can Become Certified?

Classes are OPEN first to:

- Store Owners/Employees in the Papercrafting or Fine Art Industry

- Teachers who are affiliated with a store

- Designers registered with CHA or members of Design Team(s)

- Sales Reps for Copic or associated Distributors

- Media, Press

Three weeks before the event, REMAINING SEATS will be opened to:

- Home Party Representatives (such as Stampin’ Up! or CTMH)

- Craft enthusiasts

How to become Copic Certified

The Copic Certification training program will be offered in select locations across the country. These sessions are limited to approx. 25 attendees per session and applications are processed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please follow the steps below to maximize your potential of getting into a certification session.

1. Get on the mailing list for a specific venue. Note: getting onto the mailing list does NOT guarantee a place in class, it only adds you to our mailing list.

Please e-mail Marianne Walker at office1@copicmarker.com if you have any specific questions.

2. About two months before an event, applications and information will be e-mailed to everyone who has signed up for our mailing list. Complete your application and return it as quickly as possible. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first serve basis once registration opens. NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED EARLY.

3. Once the class fills registration will close. If the class does not fill 3 weeks before the event it will be opened up to the public.

4. Once your application has been received you will get a confirmation e-mail with instructions on how to pay for the event. Payment will be done using Paypal.

Standard Certification InformationClass Goals, Outline, & Supplies

People who take this class will be listed on our website as instructors who have completed training. It is still up to you to practice on your own and take the skills you learn and apply them to your own work.

This is a technique-based class. We will NOT make finished samples. Rather, we suggest that you make a Sample Book with techniques and color combos that you like during the class, or take the small images you work on during class and turn them into projects later.

You class fee includes an information packet with lots of useful literature and guides. There will also be a paper sampler in your packet. Most of the fliers and information sheets are downloadable off our website, and you can request copies of specific fliers for your future events by sending an e-mail toorders@copicmarker.com

Also included is a product packet. This is a sampler for you to use for teaching or demo purposes. We will be using Sketch Markers during the class. If you choose to bring your own markers make sure they are marked so they do not get mixed in with my classroom sets.

All other supplies are provided, however you may wish to bring the following:

What if I have already taken a Certification Class and I want to take it again?

There are usually a few spaces for people like you in each class. The way this works is:

1. There will be a small fee. This helps us cover catering and room rental, etc.

2. You don’t get a new packet or new certificate unless you want to pay full price.

3. Please complete your application at the same time I open registration to everyone and write on your application that you are a REPEAT.

4. When you come, please help the people around you. Especially with the four main blending techniques. Those slow down the class the most and having someone else at the table who can help is greatly appreciated.

5. Please bring your own markers and have them labeled. It takes us a while to check the classroom marker sets after each class and refill them, which I factor into the class cost.

6. If you can’t make it to the whole class, then please enter/exit at the breaks so you’re not disrupting other students.

After you are Certified

Once you are Copic Certified you get a Certificate and a notice for your blog upon request. Now you need to practice, practice, practice since attending the class does NOT guarantee proficiency. Other things you get from the class:

- Listed on the Copic Online Instructor List- this is located on the Copic Website under Instructors. You can expect it to be updated within 2-3 weeks after each certification class. If your name or other details are incorrect or missing please send Copic an e-mail.

- Offer in-store demos- ask your local stamp store if they would like you to do a demo or make-n-take. You need to provide all your own product supplies and make ‘n take parts, though we are happy to offer literature and support materials. Please allow 2-3 weeks shipping if you request literature.

- Teach a papercrafting class- Take the techniques you learn and turn them into a workshop. You can print off any posts from the ilikemarkers blog as instructional material, though you need to credit where the information came from. Again, if you need literature, just let us know with advance warning and we’ll be happy to help.

If you are teaching a class and you will need markers please remember: Copic markers are in very high-demand and you will want to place your order at least 60 days (preferably 90 days if the colors are very specific) before your workshop especially if you order direct through Copic. Don’t set up a class before you have product arranged- this will just make people unhappy. Ditto for stores trying to set up a Copic Club. Please have product before you hype an event.

- Peace of mind- You’ll know that you heard information about Copics straight from our official representatives. If you ever have a question or problem just bug one of us and we either find the answer or take it straight to the manufacturer in Japan.

- Blog – Go ahead and share anything you learned in the class on your blog. Just cite where you learned the technique from if it is unusual or if others might have questions. If you have a blog and are certified and need the logo send Marianne an e-mail with the city you were certified in and she will be happy to send that to you.

- Get asked by other people to teach – Occasionally we have a need for a demo or workshop across the country. We may contact you or another store might contact you. For this reason, be sure that your blog shows good, high-quality use of Copic products so that if someone comes looking for your services they’ll know what kinds of things you make.

- Use the status to get on design teams – I know that it means a lot to some design teams if one of their candidates is Copic Certified, however, you still need to prove though high-quality work that you know what you learned and to get them to pick you.

What you can’t do:

- Get Frustrated. If you’re certified you still need to practice, it won’t magically work the first time. Those of you who have taken the class know what I mean. Some of the blending techniques are tricky and you might not have mastered them during the class. Just keep practicing and you will improve. This is why you can re-take the class. We know you won’t get it all the first time.

- Certify others. Sorry, to be able to certify others is a long, involved process and we are NOT looking for new instructors at this time. You can teach local classes but not official Copic Certification classes.

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Intermediate Certification Information

• Class size is limited, so apply early.

• Class runs from 9am to 4pm with a 1 hr. lunch break, then 6 to 8pm for the project. You MUST be available to attend the whole day or you will not be listed as having completed the training. People who cannot attend the evening event will not be accepted into the class.

• Fee: $199, due within 3 days of accepted application. NO EXCEPTIONS! Demand is very high and you will be bumped if you do not pay within the 3 days. Same cancellation policy as with regular certification (see the details section where regular applications are posted).

Important Note: You must have completed your regular certification prior to submitting the application for the Intermediate class. There are no exceptions.

Application Process:

• As soon as you get the application fill it out COMPLETELY and submit it.

• No applications are accepted early.

• You cannot save a space for a friend- they must be accepted on the same basis as everyone else.

• This application is harder to fill out than a standard application, so fill it out and return it right away.

• To apply you must prove a mastery of basic topics covered in a regular certification, as the instructors will NOT be reviewing any topics covered in a regular class.

• Coloring will be required in the application.

• The application will be a downloadable PDF. This will need to be electronically returned to us as a jpeg. The best method is to print it out, complete the application and follow the directions, then scan it or take a clean, easy to see photo of the relevant sections for us to review. We MUST decline applications that are not returned properly, since demand is so high for this session.

• DO NOT SEND ANY ADDITIONAL CARD EXAMPLES! This will not change your chances of getting into the class. The examples you provide in the application will be exactly the same as everyone else, and they prove to us that you have practiced coloring and are ready for the next level.

• Applications will be reviewed as soon as we get them, and you will be notified upon acceptance.

Don't feel bad if you are not accepted. Space is very limited. We are keeping applications neutral and will not accept people simply because they are a "craft-lebrity" or "a big name in crafting". We need to assure that everyone attending the class is dedicated to coloring already and driven to learning techniques that will take their work to a new level. The instructor has a lot to cover in a short time, and people who aren't confident in their techniques could slow down the whole class.

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As you can see, Certification is geared for people who plan on going and sharing what they have learned with others via store, classes, or online through their blog. We want everyone to be able to have access to high-quality Copic classes, even if they can’t attend a certification personally.